Written Answers Monday 24 January 2011

Scottish Executive

Alcohol

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many test purchases have been carried out of deliveries of alcohol purchased via the internet and with what results, in each year for which information is available.

Kenny MacAskill: The use of test purchasing is an operational matter for the chief constables. At present, the police operate an intelligence led deployment of test purchasing to ensure that resources are effectively targeted. There have been no test purchases made on deliveries of alcohol purchased via the internet.

Ambulance Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-38443 by Nicola Sturgeon on 11 January 2011, what steps it is taking to link more detailed information on diagnosis and outcomes to the data collected by the Scottish Ambulance Service on overdose and poisoning related calls.

Nicola Sturgeon: We recognise that the data collected by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) on overdose and poisoning related calls provides valuable information on drug overdoses and we are exploring how to make best use of this data to inform approaches to drug treatment and the prevention of drug-related deaths.

  The Scottish Government recognises the important role SAS staff play in responding to, and recording information on, overdose and poisoning related calls. SAS staff, along with the police, are often the first on the scene of an overdose and provide life-saving interventions to the individual in overdose and also information and advice to their family and friends.

  SAS is working with a number of groups across Scotland to attempt to link and share data, for example in relation to the Scottish National Naloxone Programme. The service is keen to share information and good practice to provide a more effective service for this patient group.

  In recognition of the unique perspective SAS can bring to discussions around how best to prevent drug-related deaths, they are a member of the National Forum on Drug-related Deaths. The role of this forum is to examine any trends and to disseminate good practice around how to reduce the number of drug-related deaths in Scotland. In particular, the role of this forum is to make recommendations to Scottish Government ministers, alcohol and drug partnerships and other agencies, as appropriate, on action and policy changes relating to the reduction of drug-related deaths.

  Furthermore, SAS was one of the primary data sources which provided information to the National Drug-related Death Database. This database, which reports for the first time on 25 January 2011, will provide in-depth information on the nature and circumstances of individuals who have died a drug-related death. This information will help to inform local drug treatment and support services of how they can tailor and target their interventions to help prevent drug-related deaths.

  When an individual is treated at accident and emergency following an overdose, whether they are brought in by the ambulance service or other means, it is important that they are signposted and, where appropriate, referred to local drug treatment and support services. Work is underway to investigate how best to support this process.

Car Parks

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive on what legal basis private car park operators operating NHS car parking facilities issue fixed penalty notices.

Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS boards, which have responsibility for managing their car parking appropriately.

  It is understood that private car park operators who manage NHS car parking facilities on behalf of NHS boards do not issue fixed penalty notices, as that is not an option open to private land owners.

  It is also understood that there are civil remedies open to private landowners, including NHS boards, to control the use of their land, including car parking.

  Where an NHS board has a car parking management policy and the conditions of car park use are breached, the policy may provide for unauthorised parking notices to be issued and any follow up action pursued as a civil matter. The car parking conditions are made available on notices at the relevant car parks and in the NHS board’s car parking management policy.

Car Parks

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contract for the management of car parking at NHS hospitals is between the NHS-appointed car park operator and the (a) driver or (b) owner of the vehicle.

Nicola Sturgeon: These contracts are a matter for NHS boards. However, it is understood that by parking within an NHSScotland operated car park, the driver of the vehicle is accepting the conditions governing use of that car park and made available on notices in the car parks and the NHS board’s car parking management policy.

Communities

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of where Scottish Rugby Union: Cashback for Communities funding is spent, broken down by local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: Details are as follows:

  Distribution of Cashback Funding by Local Authority

  

 
2008-08 £
2009-10 £
2010-11 (planned) £


Costs for management, monitoring/evaluation, specialist staff training; regional project equipment, resources, travel support1
170,600
180,800
192,170


Investments into expanded development officer infrastructure:2
 
 
 


Aberdeen City
5,800
2,000
3,000


Aberdeenshire
20,000
13,000
15,000


Angus
5,000
5,000
7,500


Argyll and Bute
2,500
2,500
3,500


Clackmannanshire
4,000
4,000
4,000


Dumfries and Galloway
2,000
9,000
9,500


Dundee City
20,000
15,000
12,500


East Ayrshire
-
5,000
4,000


East Dunbartonshire
5,500
3,500
3,500


East Lothian
10,250
14,000
16,500


East Renfrewshire
1,500
2,500
2,000


Edinburgh City
32,920
39,000
41,000


Falkirk
-
6,000
3,500


Fife
14,500
7,500
12,500


Glasgow City
22,500
33,500
35,500


Highland
5,525
6,500
5,100


Inverclyde
15,000
15,000
15,000


Midlothian
7,500
4,000
4,000


Moray
7,500
7,500
7,500


North Ayrshire
7,000
7,000
7,000


North Lanarkshire
5,000
20,000
20,000


Orkney Islands
10,000
7,500
7,500


Perth and Kinross
-
2,000
6,000


Renfrewshire
16,000
7,500
7,500


Scottish Borders
16,000
16,000
16,000


Shetland Islands3
-
-
-


South Ayrshire
5,000
5,000
5,000


South Lanarkshire
16,000
4,000
8,000


Stirling
-
10,000
8,000


West Dunbartonshire
-
10,000
10,000


West Lothian
4,000
10,000
10,000


Western Isles
1,835
3,000
2,000



  Notes:

  1. National procurement of resources which are distributed regionally to support delivery.

  2. Figures do not include Scottish Rugby core funding; local authority contribution; or club contributions.

  3. SRU invest directly from own funds.

Communities

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much financial assistance North Lanarkshire has received from the Scottish Rugby: Cashback for Communities programme, broken down by (a) organisation and (b) contribution.

Kenny MacAskill: Through the Cashback for Communities programme, the Scottish Government has invested £45,000 over three years for the three full-time rugby development officer posts, which is invested through partnerships with North Lanarkshire Council and North Lanarkshire Leisure Trust.

Communities

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency to have benefited from the Scottish Rugby: Cashback for Communities programme.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government believes that Coatbridge and Chryston constituency has benefited significantly from the Scottish Rugby Cashback for Communities programme. This is demonstrated by:

  Primary School Programme

  The following schools in Coatbridge and Chryston have received a six week block in tag rugby, this was then followed up by a tag rugby festival. All work in the primary schools is focused towards expanding the mini rugby section at Waysiders Drumpellier RFC, the local rugby club:

  St Barbara’s, Auchinloch, Glenmanor, Langloan, Stepps and Chryston, Glenboig, Corpus Christi, Our Ladys and St Josephs, St Bartholomew’s, Townhead, Langloan, Greenhill, Old Monkland and Kirkshaws.

  The third tag rugby block of the school year has just started. The schools involved in this block are:

  St Augustine’s, Shawhead, Bargeddie, St Marys P6, St Marys P7, Sikeside, St Stephens, St Patricks, St Timothys and St Kevins.

  After School

  The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU)have recently started a "pilot" primary after school club for all pupils in Coatbridge, to be used as a stepping stone between school and club rugby.

  Secondary School Programme

  The SRU currently have rugby champions in all seven of the secondary schools in the area, reflecting after school rugby programmes in all seven high schools. Running in conjunction with the Monklands rugby initiative the secondary schools provide one night after school training per week for the pupils of their school. All schools will have a minimum of 10 weeks after school rugby over the year, while for those schools with indoor facilities, this will extend have over 20 weeks.

  Street Rugby

  In Coatbridge there have been four Street Rugby sessions this year.

  Youth Coaching Course

  In October and November 2010 in Airdrie, the SRU put two classes of CSLA students through the rugby ready course, 20 pupils of which be put through the Youth Coaching Course in February 2011.

Communities

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding from the Scottish Rugby: Cashback for Communities programme has been distributed to schemes in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency, broken down by organisation, in each year since the programme started.

Kenny MacAskill: Funding by the Scottish Government through the Cashback for Communities programme for rugby is provided solely to the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU).

  I understand that the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency benefits from this funding through the SRU working in partnership with North Lanarkshire Leisure and North Lanarkshire Council, to employ professional staff to deliver jointly agreed and managed programmes that enable more young people to play rugby in schools, clubs and communities, leading to longer term rugby participation with longer term community benefit.

Communities

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that all communities benefit equally from the Scottish Rugby: Cashback for Communities funding and, if so, what policies it has to ensure this.

Kenny MacAskill: Scottish Rugby is required by the terms of its agreement with the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities programme to deliver free rugby playing and coaching opportunities in each local authority area in Scotland, and to meet, ideally exceed, national delivery targets, ensuring that rugby is delivered in areas of both urban and rural deprivation. In order to achieve this, the SRU has agreed to expand its successful community development model (established in 2006) which sees jointly funded development officers working to build strong school and community programmes, leading to more young people into strong community focussed rugby clubs.

  The Scottish Government is satisfied that communities across Scotland benefit equally from its Cashback funding to the SRU, based upon the quarterly and annual reports submitted by the SRU, and frequent meetings it has with the SRU to monitor progress of it delivering its agreed programme. However, the Scottish Government recognises that the provision in each community is also dependent on factors such as the level of existing provision in school and local authority sport/rugby programmes.

Communities

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it audits the distribution of the Scottish Rugby: Cashback for Communities funding among those organisations responsible for awarding funds.

Kenny MacAskill: Scottish Rugby does not award grants to external groups so such an audit process is not required. However, Scottish Rugby monitors and audits all of its partnerships involving the investment of Cashback for Communities monies to ensure agreed programmes are being delivered.

  On a quarterly and annual basis the performance of these posts and partnerships are measured against key performance indicators/targets, and assessment made of their success and whether further investment is warranted. On a quarterly and yearly basis the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) provide the Scottish Government with a progress report on all Cashback activity strands focussing on delivery, short and long-term beneficiaries, with supporting evidence. SRU also provide the Scottish Government with quarterly financial statements showing how expenditure compares with the profile agreed within the grant and any deviation from the plan must be agreed with the Scottish Government and any unexpended monies returned.

  Payments are only released to the SRU once Scottish Government Justice officials who manage the Cashback for Communities programme are satisfied at the use and proper management which the SRU are making of these funds.

Communities

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the areas that have received funding from the Scottish Rugby: Cashback for Communities Street Rugby Programme, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency, in each year since the programme started.

Kenny MacAskill: Information is not held on the delivery of street rugby. Street rugby forms part of the overall programme delivered as part of the development officers’ remit, to ensure that those young people who engage with Street rugby can be supported by the SRU’s Development Officer into mainstream school and club programmes. The following table is a breakdown of all delivery since the start of our Cashback funding.

  Distribution of Cashback Funding by Local Authority

  

 
 
2008-09 £
2009-10 £
2010-11 (planned) £


Costs for management, monitoring/evaluation,specialist staff training; regional project equipment,resources, travel support1
170,600
180,800
192,170


Investments into expanded development officerInfrastructure:2
 
 
 


Aberdeen City
5,800
2,000
3,000


Aberdeenshire
20,000
13,000
15,000


Angus
5,000
5,000
7,500


Argyll and Bute
2,500
2,500
3,500


Clackmannanshire
4,000
4,000
4,000


Dumfries and Galloway
2,000
9,000
9,500


Dundee City
20,000
15,000
12,500


East Ayrshire
-
5,000
4,000


East Dunbartonshire
5,500
3,500
3,500


East Lothian
10,250
14,000
16,500


East Renfrewshire
1,500
2,500
2,000


Edinburgh City
32,920
39,000
41,000


Falkirk
-
6,000
3,500


Fife
14,500
7,500
12,500


Glasgow City
22,500
33,500
35,500


Highland
5,525
6,500
5,100


Inverclyde
15,000
15,000
15,000


Midlothian
7,500
4,000
4,000


Moray
7,500
7,500
7,500


North Ayrshire
7,000
7,000
7,000


North Lanarkshire
5,000
20,000
20,000


Orkney Islands
10,000
7,500
7,500


Perth and Kinross
-
2,000
6,000


Renfrewshire
16,000
7,500
7,500


Scottish Borders
16,000
16,000
16,000


Shetland Islands 3
-
-
-


South Ayrshire
5,000
5,000
5,000


South Lanarkshire
16,000
4,000
8,000


Stirling
-
10,000
8,000


West Dunbartonshire
-
10,000
10,000


West Lothian
4,000
10,000
10,000


Western Isles
1,835
3,000
2,000



  Notes:

  1. National procurement of resources which are distributed regionally to support delivery.

  2. Figures do not include Scottish Rugby core funding; local authority contribution; or club contributions.

  3. SRU invest directly from own funds.

Communities

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a street rugby programme operating in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is aware of the wide range of Cashback for Communities rugby programmes delivered by the Scottish Rugby Union, including Street Rugby, in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17106 by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 October 2008, whether it will provide an update on the information provided.

Nicola Sturgeon: There is clear evidence of the benefits from ensuring that people who have had a stroke are admitted to a stroke unit as quickly as possible. In revising its clinical standards for stroke service in June 2009 to bring them into line with the new SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) Guideline on stroke management, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) set a more challenging standard than previously for admission to a stroke unit. The standard that NHS boards are now expected to meet is that:

  1. 60% of all patients admitted to hospital with diagnosis of stroke should be admitted to a stroke unit on the day of admission to hospital, and

  2. 90% of patients should be admitted to a stroke unit within one day of admission.

  Each Scottish hospital’s performance in relation to this standard in 2009 is shown in the following table:

  

NHS Board
Hospital
On Day of Admission (%)
Within One Day of Admission


NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Ayr Hospital
66
81


 
Crosshouse Hospital
55
71


NHS Borders
Borders General Hospital
17
48


NHS Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway Royal
38
67


 
Galloway Community Hospital*
0
0


NHS Fife
Queen Margaret Hospital
25
59


 
Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy
38
69


NHS Forth Valley
Forth Valley
27
52


NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Royal Infirmary Glasgow
27
62


 
Stobhill Hospital
18
59


 
Western Infirmary Glasgow
62
81


 
Southern General Hospital
73
79


 
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
6
18


 
Royal Alexandra Hospital
27
59


 
Vale of Leven Hospital
11
20


NHS Grampian
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
64
75


 
Dr Grays, Elgin*
0
0


NHS Highland
Raigmore Hospital
17
40


 
Lorn and Islands Hospital
64
75


 
Belford Hospital*
0
0


 
Caithness Hospital*
0
0


NHS Lanarkshire
Hairmyres Hospital
45
70


 
Monklands Hospital
43
80


 
Wishaw General Hospital
35
82


NHS Lothian
Royal Infirmary Edinburgh
21
50


 
St Johns Hospital
28
52


 
Western General Hospital
38
59


NHS Orkney
Orkney*
38
38


NHS Shetland
Shetland*
0
0


NHS Tayside
Ninewells
30
70


 
Perth Royal Infirmary*
3
7


NHS Western Isles
Western Isles**
35
35



  Source: Scottish Stroke Care Audit.

  Notes:

  *These hospitals do not have designated acute stroke units. For NHS Orkney, patients are airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and a proportion arrive in sufficient time to be admitted to the stroke unit within the time required to meet NHS QIS standard.

  **Uist and Barra data are included in the table, but it should be noted that Uist and Barra do not have a stroke unit. A proportion of patients may be transferred to Western Isles and may arrive in sufficient time to be admitted to the Stroke Unit there within the required NHS QIS standard.

  Because of the change to the relevant clinical standard, it is not possible to make a direct comparison with the data provided in the answer to S3W-17106. We pointed out in our Heart Disease and Stroke Action Plan that, overall, more patients are being admitted to a stroke unit and being managed according to agreed standards. We acknowledged, however, that NHS boards had struggled to meet the then standards on a sustained basis, and would therefore need to give serious consideration to the re-design of services in order to meet the revised standard.

  In order to deliver further improvements in performance consistently across the country, we are introducing a new HEAT target from April 2011. It expects the territorial NHS boards to ensure that 90% of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of stroke are admitted to a stroke unit on the day of admission, or the following day. NHS boards will work towards achieving this target by March 2013.

Health

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37100 by Shona Robison on 3 November 2010, whether a ministerial meeting has taken place with representatives of the Scottish Muscle Network to discuss the recommendations in The Mackie Report and the report by the Scottish Muscle Network on its review of neuromuscular services and, if so, whether it will report on the outcome of the meeting.

Nicola Sturgeon: The meeting with representatives of the Scottish Muscle Network to discuss the recommendations in both these reports is now scheduled to take place in February.

Health

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been treated for hypothermia during the recent cold weather conditions and what proportion was represented by people over 60.

Nicola Sturgeon: People with hypothermia may be treated in a number of different health care settings (for example; accident and emergency (A&E) departments, acute hospitals).

  The routine collection of data on hospital admissions for patients with a diagnosis of hypothermia is collected by ISD through the Standard Morbidity Record. Although this data is not published as official statistics, it is available on request and complete data for December 2010 should be available in June 2011.

  ISD is working with NHS boards to improve the central collection of data from all main A&E Departments in Scotland. This includes information on presenting complaint and "working diagnosis" which would allow this type of question to be answered in the future. A small number of hospitals have recently commenced submission of these data items, however, data is incomplete and is not suitable to answer this type of question at this stage.

Health

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been admitted to hospital with hypothermia in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) age and (b) NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: The number of patients treated in hospital for hypothermia over the last five years is presented by NHS board in table 1 and by age group in table 2.

  Table 1 Number of Patients Treated in Hospital, with a Diagnosis of Hypothermia, by NHS Board of Residence; Financial Years 2005-06 to 2009-10

  

NHS Board of Residence
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09
 2009-10


 NHS Ayrshire and Arran
 24
 22
 19
 28
 44


 NHS Borders
 3
 1
 1
 3
 6


 NHS Dumfries and Galloway
 7
 3
 8
 10
 3


 NHS Fife
 15
 16
 7
 15
 16


 NHS Forth Valley
 8
 3
 10
 5
 7


 NHS Grampian
 22
 21
 33
 30
 21


 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 35
 22
 49
 39
 50


 NHS Highland
 33
 34
 34
 33
 32


 NHS Lanarkshire
 10
 10
 11
 12
 7


 NHS Lothian
 20
 16
 17
 32
 33


 NHS Orkney Islands
 3
 7
 2
 3
 7


 NHS Shetland Islands
 4
 4
 3
 4
 5


 NHS Tayside
 12
 12
 10
 10
 14


 NHS Western Isles
 2
 5
 3
 2
 -


 Scotland
 198
 176
 207
 226
 245



  Note: - denotes a zero value.

  Table 2 Number of Patients Treated in Hospital, with a Diagnosis of Hypothermia, by Age Group; for Residents of Scotland; Financial Years 2005-06 to 2009-10

  

 Age Group
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09
 2009-10


 0-14
 5
 8
 3
 6
 10


 15-24
 17
 12
 27
 24
 24


 25-44
 43
 22
 40
 43
 36


 45-64
 35
 47
 57
 44
 55


 65-74
 27
 26
 29
 31
 32


 75-84
 38
 43
 26
 47
 47


 85+
 33
 18
 25
 31
 41


All Ages
 198
 176
 207
 226
 245



  Source: ISD Scotland (SMR01).

Health

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths linked to hypothermia there have been in each year since 2005, broken down by (a) age and (b) NHS board area.

Nicola Sturgeon: The number of deaths, registered in Scotland, for which hypothermia was involved is presented by NHS board in table 1 and by age group in table 2. These figures cover deaths for which hypothermia was the underlying cause together with deaths to which hypothermia contributed but for which there was another underlying cause (such as heart disease, a stroke, alcoholic liver disease or a fall).

  The tables show the most recent calendar years for which figures are available at present. The provisional total number of deaths registered in Scotland in 2010 will be published by the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) on 10 March

  Table 1 Number of Deaths Involving Hypothermia, by NHS Board; Year of Registration 2005 to 2009

  

 
Year of Registration


2005
2006
2007
2008
2009


NHS Board
 
 
 
 
 


Ayrshire and Arran
3
9
4
3
5


Borders
4
1
1
2
2


Dumfries and Galloway
3
2
1
1
0


Fife
3
0
3
5
4


Forth Valley
5
8
6
3
4


Grampian
7
7
4
3
4


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
20
23
18
24
15


Highland 
6
5
13
12
10


Lanarkshire
7
5
2
5
6


Lothian
11
10
18
11
15


Orkney
0
0
0
0
0


Shetland
0
1
1
0
0


Tayside
7
4
1
6
2


Western Isles
0
1
0
1
3


All
76
76
72
76
70



  Table 2 Number of Deaths Involving Hypothermia, by Age Group; Year of Registration 2005 to 2009

  

 
Year of Registration


2005
2006
2007
2008
2009


Age at Death
 
 
 
 
 


0-14
0
0
0
0
0


15-19
0
1
0
1
0


20-24
1
4
2
0
1


25-29
2
0
0
1
2


30-34
2
2
1
2
2


35-39
1
2
0
2
3


40-44
2
3
5
5
2


45-49
5
6
3
6
4


50-54
4
2
3
8
8


55-59
6
11
8
4
7


60-64
5
8
11
4
4


65-69
6
4
4
6
6


70-74
6
7
6
10
1


75-79
8
8
9
8
4


80-84
11
8
7
10
5


85+
17
10
13
9
21


All
76
76
72
76
70



  Source: GROS.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure public awareness of the value of commercially available predictive genetic testing.

Nicola Sturgeon: It is not for Scottish ministers to raise awareness of specific products, nor to promote or advise on the use of products of this kind to the wider public.

Illegal Money Lending

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made to the training of procurator fiscal staff regarding illegal money lending cases since 2007.

Frank Mulholland: Illegal money lending is an offence under section 39(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The number of cases reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) by Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit (SIMLU) is small. From the information provided by SIMLU, between 2007 and 2010 16 people were reported to the Procurator Fiscal, six prosecutions were undertaken and five people were fined, and one person was sentenced to imprisonment after conviction. If a prosecution cannot be undertaken or cannot be progressed then the case can be referred to the Civil Recovery Unit for consideration of whether civil recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is appropriate to recover any property obtained through unlawful conduct. Since 2007, the Civil Recovery Unit has covered illegal money lending in training to COPFS staff. There are preparations underway to arrange a meeting between a senior official from COPFS and SIMLU to discuss the investigation and prosecution of these cases.

Influenza

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to increase the uptake of the flu vaccination by (a) older people and (b) other at-risk groups.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government runs an annual campaign to promote the seasonal flu vaccine and increase uptake amongst those who are eligible, including those aged over 65 and those with clinical at-risk conditions. This year, as usual, this has included television and radio adverts during October and November 2010; pharmacy posters; leaflets; engagement with over a 100 different stakeholder organisations; a national invitation letter for everyone over the age of 65, and a range of PR and on-line activity that has led to 77 separate pieces of press coverage across Scotland and over 40 on-line articles. A further series of radio and TV adverts commenced on 30 December 2010 to encourage more people in at-risk groups to come forward for vaccination.

  Uptake of the seasonal flu vaccine this year is currently good and continuing to increase.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of Homicide in Scotland, 2009-10 , how many homicides there were in each police force area in 2009-10, broken down by main method of killing.

Kenny MacAskill: The following table provides information on the number of homicide victims recorded in each police force area in Scotland in 2009-10, broken down by main method of killing.

  Victims of Homicide by Main Method of Killing and Police Force Area, 2009-10

  

Main Method of Killing
Central
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Grampian
Lothian and Borders
Northern
Strathclyde
Tayside
Scotland


Shooting
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
-
2


Sharp Instrument
1
-
5
3
3
-
21
2
35


Blunt Instrument
-
-
-
-
4
-
4
2
10


Hitting and Kicking
-
-
-
1
-
1
7
1
10


Strangulation/Asphyxiation
-
-
-
-
1
-
5
1
7


Drowning
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


Fire
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
1
2


Poisoning
-
-
-
-
1
1
1
-
3


Other or Unknown
2
-
-
-
3
1
4
-
10


Total
3
-
5
5
12
3
44
7
79



  Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.

Justice

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines cover the release of information and documents by the (a) police, (b) Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and (c) courts to the press or public in connection with criminal prosecutions.

Kenny MacAskill: The police, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and the courts are required to comply with the relevant legal requirements such as the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. The Lord Advocate has issued guidelines to police on releasing information to the media in relation to criminal investigations. These are publicly available on the COPFS website at:

  http://www.crownoffice.gov.uk/publications/1983/07/lag-police-media.

  Internal guidance is available to Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal staff to deal with routine enquiries.

  Internal guidance is available to Scottish Court Service (SCS) staff to assist them in handling enquiries received from either the press or public on accessing court records or on other aspects of criminal proceedings. Further advice is available from SCS senior staff or SCS communications where required.

Justice

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether recordings of interviews under caution with Tommy and Gail Sheridan by police officers of Lothians and Borders Police were officially released to the BBC and, if not, what action has been taken regarding the use of this material in the BBC programme, The Rise and Lies of Tommy Sheridan .

Kenny MacAskill: Recordings of interviews under caution with Tommy and Gail Sheridan were not released to the BBC by the police or the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

  Both the police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service must adhere to strict requirements around the release of information. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38760 on 24 January 2011. It is for Lothian and Borders Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to consider whether these requirements have been met.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences of wasting police time were committed in the Grampian Police force area in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10.

Kenny MacAskill: Offences of public mischief 1 recorded by Grampian Police, 2008-09 and 2009-10

  

 
Grampian


2008-09
95


2009-10
122



  Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.

  Note: 1. The offence of public mischief includes, but is not restricted to, wasting police time.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many band 6 hospital pharmacists were employed by each NHS board in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 and are employed in 2010.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally as data specifically for band 6 hospital pharmacist posts is not captured separately in the workforce statistics. NHS Service Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland publish data annually and trend information for headcount and whole time equivalent of combined hospital and community pharmacy staff by band and NHS board as at 30 September 2007 to 30 September 2010 is available at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Other_therapeutic_staff_and_personal_social_care%202010.xls&p ContentDispositionType=attachment.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many band 6 hospital pharmacist vacancies there were in each NHS board in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 and there are in 2010.

Nicola Sturgeon: Data specifically for band 6 hospital pharmacist vacancies by NHS board for 2007, 2008 and 2009 are not centrally held.

  The Scottish Government recognises the importance of monitoring pharmacy establishment over the longer term and has been working with Information Services Division (ISD) which has now put arrangements in place to collect specific pharmacy establishment and vacancy data as part of their ongoing statistical monitoring of NHSScotland.

  Information showing band 6 pharmacist vacancies by NHS board for acute and mental health hospitals as at 30 September 2010 can be found using the following link to workforce information published by ISD at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Pharmacy_Vacancies_Sep_2010.xls&pContentDispositionType=attachment.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many band 6 hospital pharmacist posts there were in each NHS board in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 and there are in 2010.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally as data specifically for band 6 hospital pharmacist posts is not captured separately in the workforce statistics. NHS Service Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland publish data annually and trend information for head count and whole-time equivalent of combined hospital and community pharmacy staff by band and NHS board as at 30 September 2007 to 30 September 2010 is available at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Other_therapeutic_staff_and_personal_social_care%202010.xls&p ContentDispositionType=attachment.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many band 7 hospital pharmacists were employed by each NHS board in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 and are employed in 2010.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally as data specifically for band 7 hospital pharmacist posts is not captured separately in the workforce statistics. NHS Service Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland publish data annually and trend information for headcount and whole time equivalent of combined hospital and community pharmacy staff by band and NHS board as at 30 September 2007 to 30 September 2010 is available at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Other_therapeutic_staff_and_personal_social_care%202010.xls&p ContentDispositionType=attachment.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many band 7 hospital pharmacist vacancies there were in each NHS board in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 and there are in 2010.

Nicola Sturgeon: Data specifically for band 7 hospital pharmacist vacancies by NHS board for 2007, 2008 and 2009 are not centrally held.

  The Scottish Government recognises the importance of monitoring pharmacy establishment over the longer term and has been working with Information Services Division (ISD) who has now put arrangements in place to collect specific pharmacy establishment and vacancy data as part of their ongoing statistical monitoring of NHS Scotland.

  Information showing band 7 pharmacist vacancies by NHS board for acute and mental health hospitals as at 30 September 2010 can be found using the following link to workforce information published by ISD at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Pharmacy_Vacancies_Sep_2010.xls&pContentDispositionType=attachment.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many band 7 hospital pharmacist posts there were in each NHS board in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 and there are in 2010.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally as data specifically for band 7 hospital pharmacist posts is not captured separately in the workforce statistics. NHS Service Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland publish data annually and trend information for headcount and whole time equivalent of combined hospital and community pharmacy staff by band and NHS board as at 30 September 2007 to 30 September 2010 is available at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Other_therapeutic_staff_and_personal_social_care%202010.xls&p ContentDispositionType=attachment.

NHS Staff

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cancer care specialists there have been in each NHS board in each year since 1999.

Nicola Sturgeon: Information about consultant staff in post by specialty, including medical oncology and clinical oncology, and NHS board, as at 30 September 2001 to 30 September 2010 is available at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=HCHS%20by%20specialty_2010.xls&pContentDispositionType=attachment.

  Information about clinical nurse specialists staff in post by specialty, including cancer specialties, and NHS board, as at 30 September 2007 to 30 September 2010 is available at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Clinical%20Nurse%20Specialists%202010.xls&pContentDispositionType=attachment.

  Information about clinical nurse specialists staff in post by specialty, including cancer specialties and NHS board, as at 30 September 2004 to 30 September 2006 is available at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=WFE18_0107.xls&pContentDispositionType=attachment.

  Information for consultants in clinical radiology and medical oncology by NHS board as at 30 September 1999 and 30 September 2000 is shown in table 1 which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 52315.)

Police

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the creation of a single police force for Scotland.

Kenny MacAskill: No decisions on structural reform of our police service have been taken. Significant arguments have been made for a single force but questions remain over accountability and centralisation of services.

  We will launch a public consultation in February 2011 to allow those who support a particular option make their case and to build consensus. Three options will be consulted on: significantly enhanced collaboration between the eight existing forces; a single service, and a rationalised regional model of three or four forces.

  Only once, we have consulted and considered the evidence on the ability of these options to protect frontline services, whilst delivering the efficiencies required by reduced budgets, will any decision on future structures be taken.

Police

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers there are in each force; what size of population they serve, and what the figures were in each of the previous four years.

Kenny MacAskill: Details are as follows:

  

 
 
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11


Central
Officers
865
815
836
834
846


Population
286,390
288,810
290,400
291,760
291,760


Dumfries and Galloway
Officers
496
502
517
513
507


Population
148,030
148,300
148,580
148,510
148,510


Fife
Officers
1,035
1,059
1,066
1,071
1,082


Population
358,930
360,500
361,890
363,460
363,460


Grampian
Officers
1,400
1,440
1,483
1,545
1,546


Population
529,890
535,290
539,630
544,980
544,980


Lothian and Borders
Officers
2,783
2,829
2,891
2,979
2,990


Population
911,570
921,220
930,250
939,020
939,020


Northern
Officers
697
713
747
793
792


Population
283,310
285,550
287,470
288,840
288,840


Strathclyde
Officers
7,782
7,735
7,955
8,331
8,382


Population
2,207,100
2,210,370
2,213,320
2,217,880
2,217,880


Tayside
Officers
1,173
1,174
1,180
1,208
1,225


Population
391,680
394,160
396,960
399,550
399,550



  Notes:

  1. Officer numbers as at 31 December each year, 30 September for 2010-11.

  2. Population numbers based on estimates by General Register Office as at 30 June each year at:

  http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/population/estimates/mid-year/index.html

  3. Population numbers for 2010-11 are not yet available, numbers in table reflect 2009-10 figures.

Prison Service

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the running cost of HM Prison (a) Noranside and (b) Castle Huntly (i) was in 2009-10 and (ii) will be in 2010-11.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  It is not possible to provide the running costs separately for Noranside and Castle Huntly for the years in question, as they were funded as one prison establishment – HMP Open Estate.

  For the years in question:

  (i) 2009-10 the running costs for HMP Open Estate was £7,903,061

  (ii) 2010-11 the running cost budget for HMP Open Estate is £8,193,090.

Prison Service

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether prisons receive extra payments per prisoner when they are over-capacity and, if so, how much this is.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

  Current practice is all public sector prisons are allocated a budget based on the number of prisoners they are expected to hold, this is reflected in their service agreement. Any establishment required to hold prisoners more than they are budgeted for receives extra payments based on the number of prisoners over that base level. The amount of £10 per prisoner per day is paid to each establishment. This is provided to cover extra costs such as food.

  All payments for additional places within public and private sector prisons are funded from within the SPS agreed annual budget allocation.

Prison Service

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what posts are currently unfilled in each prison and young offenders institution.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

  As at 18 January 2011, the posts that were vacant in each public sector prison and young offenders institution were as follows:

  

Establishment
Posts
Type
Pay Grades


Aberdeen
1.6 
Administration
B


 
1.0 
Office Manager
E


 
15.2 
Uniform Prison Staff
C, D & E


Barlinnie
3.9 
Administration
B


 
1.4
Administration
C


 
3
Office Manager
E


 
6.8 
Uniform Prison Staff
C, D & E


 
2 
Operational Manager
F+


 
0.4
Chaplain
F


 
5.5
Nurse
D


Cornton Vale 
0.2 
Administration
B


 
1 
Administration
C


 
1 
Office Manager
E


 
0.4
Chaplain
F


 
1 
Health Care Manager
F


Dumfries
1 
Operational Manager
F+


 
0.5
Administration
C


Edinburgh
1
Administrator
B


 
1.2
Administrator
D


 
0.2
Psychologist
F


 
2.8
Nurse
D


 
2 
Nurse Manager 
E


Glenochil
0.7 
Administration
B


 
0.1 
Administration
C


 
3.3 
Uniform Prison Staff
C / D & E


 
1.4 
Nurse
D


Greenock 
0.5 
Uniform Prison Staff
C / D & E


Inverness
1.9 
Uniform Prison Staff
C, D & E


 
1 
Human Resource Manager
F


Open Estate 
2 
Administration
B


 
1.25
Administration
C


 
1
Administration
D


 
4.3 
Uniform Prison Staff
C / D & E


 
1 
Human Resource Manager
F


 
0.74
Chaplain
F


 
1
Psychologist
F


Perth
1 
Office Manager
E


 
0.5
Finance Manager
F


 
0.2
HR Manager
G


Peterhead
1.3 
Psychologist
D


 
0.4
Operational Manager
F


Polmont
0.7
Administration
B


 
0.1
Administration
C


 
1 
Office Manager
E


 
1.3 
Uniform Prison Staff
C / D & E


 
2 
Psychologist
D


 
1
Nurse Manager
E


 
1.2
Nurse
D


Shotts
1.2
Administration
B


 
6.8 
Uniform Prison Staff
C / D & E


 
1
Psychologist
F


 
0.3
Chaplain
F



  These figures include vacancies which will be filled through internal appointment and current vacancies where offers of appointment have been made. The SPS have contracted the management of HMP Kilmarnock and Addiewell to the private sector. Both contracts are output based and therefore staffing levels are a matter for the contractor and not the SPS. The SPS do not hold information about staffing levels or the number of vacancies at either prison.

Prison Service

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the construction of the replacement prison at Low Moss is due for completion.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  Construction of HMP Low Moss is due to be completed in the autumn of 2011.

Prison Service

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff will be employed at the replacement prison at Low Moss.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  Staff numbers have yet to be finalised but are expected to be in the region of 350.

Prison Service

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to move the specialist unit for sex offenders at HMP Peterhead to the replacement prison at Low Moss.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

  Convicted sex offenders are currently held in a number of establishments across the SPS estate; including Peterhead, Polmont, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Barlinnie and Glenochil. There are no plans to move sex offenders held at HMP Peterhead to HMP Low Moss when it opens in 2012.

Prison Service

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies are on the shortlist for the new prisoner escort contract; what companies, and how many originally expressed interest in it.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is currently conducting a procurement process for the renewal of the current Prisoner Escort and Court Custody service contract which is due to expire in January 2012. The procurement timetable provides an opportunity for the successful contractor to make appropriate preparations in advance of assuming responsibility for this service.

  Four bidders submitted pre-qualification questionnaires and three were invited to submit tenders. SPS has not announced the identity of the bidders in order to maintain a competitive procurement process. This information could be made available following the completion of the procurement process. SPS expect to make an announcement regarding the successful supplier by early spring 2011.

Prison Service

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to announce what company has been successful in the bid for the new prisoner escort contract.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38809 on 24 January 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Prison Service

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the prisoner escort contract is currently being tendered, in light of the current contract not expiring until 2012.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The current Prisoner Escort and Court Custody Service contract is due to expire in January 2012. The procurement timetable is designed to ensure that the tendering process is completed in good time and provides an opportunity for the successful contractor to make appropriate preparations in advance of assuming responsibility for this service.

Sex Offenders

Nigel Don (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37041 by Kenny MacAskill on 25 October 2010, what action it has now taken.

Kenny MacAskill: Following the making of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Remedial) (Scotland) Order, 2010 we consulted on the contents of the order with a closing date of 23   December 2010.

  We are currently assessing the comments made and will shortly lay a statement before the Parliament summarising these comments and specifying the changes we consider should be made to the order.

St Andrew’s Day

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive where the Saltire flags procured for the purpose of celebrating St Andrew’s Day 2010 were manufactured.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive has transferred operational responsibility for the delivery of St Andrew’s Day and Winter Festivals commitments to EventScotland from 2010 onwards.

  I have asked EventScotland to respond. Their response is as follows:

  In line with public sector procurement and to ensure cost effectiveness, EventScotland and VisitScotland placed a joint order for hand-held Saltire flags for use at events and in VisitScotland information centres. The order for materials was placed with a company who supply flags and are based in Scotland, that company itself contracts the flags manufacture to company in Northampton.

St Andrew’s Day

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the (a) agencies, (b) organisations and (c) public bodies and services that it has provided with Saltire flags for the purpose of celebrating St Andrew’s Day 2010 and what the total cost was.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive has transferred operational responsibility for the delivery of St Andrew’s Day and Winter Festivals commitments to EventScotland from 2010 onwards.

  I have asked EventScotland to respond. Their response is as follows:

  EventScotland have distributed Saltire hand-held flags to seasonal VisitScotland Tourist Information Centres across Scotland and at funded Winter Festivals events, as shown in the following table. As the Winter Festivals continue through until the 25 January 2011, the cost of activity is still being correlated.

  Distribution of Saltire Hand-Held Flags to St Andrew’s Day Events

  

Agency/Organisation/Public Body
Number of Flags


East Renfrewshire Council’s St Andrew’s Day event
200


Angus Council’s St Andrew’s Day Festival
200


Highland Council’s Cèilidhean Naoimh Anndra / St Andrew’s Cèilidhs
200


Dumfries and Galloway Council’s "Fling" event 2010
1,000


City of Edinburgh Council’s St Andrew’s Day Celebrations
1,500


Perth and Kinross Council’s St Andrew’s Celebration Weekend
800


Glasgow City Council’s Shindig in the Square 2010
1,500


Aberdeen City Council’s St Andrews Day Celebrations
500


Renfrewshire Council’s St Andrews Day Celebrations;
200


West Dunbartonshire Council’s St Andrews Day Event 2010;
200


South Ayrshire Council’s St Andrews Day Festival
800


Fife Council’s St Andrews Festival 2010;
1,000


Stirling Council’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations
1,000


East Lothian Council’s The Saltire
800


Total 
9,900



  Note: *Of these flags, the highlighted ones were then reused by the relevant local authority for their Hogmanay events.

St Andrew’s Day

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the Saltire-branded products that it commissioned or produced for the purpose of celebrating St Andrew’s Day 2010.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive has transferred operational responsibility for the delivery of St Andrew’s Day and Winter Festivals commitments to EventScotland from 2010 onwards.

  I have asked EventScotland to respond. Their response is as follows:

  EventScotland have procured Saltire-branded hand-held flags for distribution to seasonal VisitScotland Tourist Information Centres across Scotland and at Winter Festivals funded events.

St Andrew’s Day

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all (a) activities and (b) events that each minister attended in connection with St Andrew’s Day 2010, providing the (i) date, (ii) name, (iii) description and (iv) purpose of each.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive is committed to promoting Scotland as a great place to live, work, learn, visit, do business and invest in. The St Andrew’s Day celebrations are a time for everyone with a Scottish connection to celebrate Scotland’s people and history, as well as our traditional and contemporary culture.

  The following table is a note of what Scottish minister’s were engaged in the following activities across the country.

  

Date
Minister
Engagement Details


23-11-10
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning
Visited Heriot Primary School in Paisley to share in the St Andrew’s Day celebrations and to congratulate the local authority (Renfrewshire) on making St Andrew’s Day a school holiday for 2010. He also saw the pupils perform traditional Scottish songs, poetry and dancing.


26-11-10
First Minister
Launched the country’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations with pupils from Glasgow’s Royal High School and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers at Edinburgh Castle. The launch aimed to raise awareness of the St Andrew’s Day programme of events, highlighting the significant contribution these events make to Scottish tourism and our economy.


27-11-10
Cabinet Secretary for Justice
Attended Edinburgh’s family festival in St Andrew’s Square and sampled a range of the activities on offer at this Winter Festival’s funded event which celebrated Scotland’s modern culture, traditions, history and food and drink. 


27-11-10
Minister for the Environment
Attended Perth’s Andermass Fair where she celebrated the feast of St Andrew and met a selection of local craft stall-holders. The Fair was part of Perth and Kinross’ St Andrew’s Day Celebrations which was in receipt of Winter Festivals funding. 


30-11-10
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
Attended an event in Union Square, part of Aberdeen’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations, which aimed to encourage mass participation by members of the public in dancing – a fun way to keep fit and healthy and which can be enjoyed by everyone. Aberdeen Council’s events were in receipt of Winter Festivals funding.


30-11-10
Minister for Children and Early Years
Visited Wallacetown Nursery School in Ayr and St Andrew’s Primary School in Kilmarnock to share in their celebrations, met staff and pupils, and watch the pupils perform traditional Scottish songs, music, poetry and dancing



  The events I was scheduled to attend – East Lothian’s Saltire Celebrations on 28 November 2010 and the opening of the Edinburgh’s Grand Ceilidh on 30 November 2010 - had to be cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. The Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning was due to visit Newton Primary School in Dunblane on 30 November to share in the St Andrew’s Day celebrations, but this had to be cancelled as the school was closed due to the adverse weather conditions.

Young Offenders

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15307 by Kenny MacAskill on 1 August 2008, whether it will provide an update on the information provided.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Admissions of Persons Under 16 to Scottish Prison-Young Offenders Institution

  

2008
 


Quarter 1: 1 January 2008 to 31 March 2008
4


Quarter 2: 1 April 2008 to 30 June 2008
10


Quarter 3: 1 July 2008 to 30 September 2008
2


Quarter 4: 1 October 2008 to 31 December 2008
2


2009
 


Quarter 1: 1 January 2009 to 31 March 2009
0


Quarter 2: 1 April 2009 to 30 June 2009
2


Quarter 3: 1 July 2009 to 30 September 2009
1


Quarter 4: 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009
2


2010
 


Quarter 1: 1 January 2010 to 31 March 2010
1



  Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.

  Notes:

  1. Data are derived from the Scottish Prison Service PR2 information management system. This is a live system and data are updated and quality assured on an ongoing basis. The figures shown here may therefore differ slightly from historic data.

  2. Individuals may be admitted more than once on separate occasions. Figures refer to those aged over 14 and under 16 at date of admission.

  Information for the remainder of 2010 will not be available until after the publication of the final 2010-11 data later in 2011.